Why Study / Key Benefits

Massey University’s Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) examines how language works, including its structure and meaning, how it is learned and used, and how language influences identity, relationships, communities and society. The programme develops critical thinking, communication, research, language-analysis and intercultural-communication skills. Current study areas include multilingualism, language and identity, discourse and power, social media and digital communication, intercultural communication, mother-tongue maintenance, second-language learning and forensic linguistics.

The programme is particularly suitable for students interested in language, communication, English, media, education, psychology, social studies or related disciplines. Massey also highlights the broad applicability of linguistics skills across education, government, communications, business, media and technology.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The BA combines the Linguistics major with the Bachelor of Arts core and elective study. The major itself is built progressively across 100-, 200- and 300-level Linguistics courses.

Current Linguistics course options include:

100-level:

• 172131 Language, Meaning and Communication – 15 credits
• 172133 Introduction to Language Studies – 15 credits

200-level options include:

• 172231 Linguistics for Speech Therapists
• 172232 Language and Society in New Zealand
• 172233 Language Learning Processes
• 172234 Phonetics
• 172235 Linguistic Analysis of the English Language
• 172236 Forensic Linguistics
• 172237 Language, Discourse and Power
• 172239 Language and Culture

These courses cover areas such as sociolinguistics, bilingualism, Maori language, speech sounds, morphology, phonology, syntax, language learning, forensic language analysis and the relationship between language and society.

300-level options include areas such as:

• 172330 Sounds and Structures
• 172333 Discourse and Institutions
• 172335 Language and Identity
• 172336 Languages of the Pacific
• 172337 Historical and Comparative Linguistics
• 172339 Language Learning Processes

Programme Highlights

• Bachelor of Arts with a Linguistics major.
• NZQF Level 7 undergraduate qualification.
• 360-credit degree.
• Standard duration of 3 years full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Focus on language structure, meaning, communication and social use.
• Study opportunities covering multilingualism, identity, discourse, power, digital communication, intercultural communication, language learning and forensic linguistics.
• Optional second major or minor, subject to BA regulations.
• Develops transferable communication, critical-thinking, research and intercultural skills. 

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies a broad range of career applications for Linguistics graduates. These include:

• Education and language teaching
• ESOL teaching
• Language teaching
• Literacy advising
• University-level education
• Communications advising
• Interpreting and translation
• Forensic document analysis
• Policy analysis
• Research
• Cultural advisory roles
• Immigration-related roles
• Writing and editing
• Journalism
• Advertising
• Language technologies
• Digital communication
• User experience and content design.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme information confirms that Linguistics is available through Distance and online study and is open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.

Important current points include:

• No additional Linguistics-specific admission requirement is listed.
• General Massey undergraduate admission requirements apply.
• English-language requirements apply.
• Some Linguistics courses have prerequisites or restrictions.
• Some courses are offered only in alternate years.
• Students should plan their 100-, 200- and 300-level courses carefully so that all major and BA graduation requirements are met.
• A second major or minor can be added subject to the relevant regulations.
• Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree may request approved replacement courses for specified BA core requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the Linguistics BA online from outside New Zealand, the programme page explicitly permits offshore online study. Therefore, a New Zealand student visa is not normally required merely to study the programme while remaining outside New Zealand.

If the student instead intends to undertake the programme physically in New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand's Fee Paying Student Visa is the relevant student visa category for eligible full-time study. Current requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funding or scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.